dont45
Member
Looks like great news about the Freestyle Arista Premium (see earlier thread). I'm ordering a few rolls, and while on their site I found the Arista Bobinquick loader. My only experience is with a Watson which I sold some years back. Any experience with this one? I know some of them scratch the film.
thanks
thanks
JRG
Well-known
To bulk-load something else, maybe? At $2 for a 36x roll, and $30 for 100 feet, it's hardly worth loading the Arista Premium yourself.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Consider 'open-air' loading in a DARK darkroom, using a hand-crank. That's the only way I do it any more, if I get some weird film in bulk. There's more information towards the end of:
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how load bulk.html
No risk of scratching; no fogged end of film near the spool...
Cheers,
Roger
http://www.rogerandfrances.com/photoschool/ps how load bulk.html
No risk of scratching; no fogged end of film near the spool...
Cheers,
Roger
pfoto
Well-known
I have two new Alden 74 loaders which use a light baffle construction that works really well and doesn't scratch the film. The new ones come in blue boxes, the older ones have yellow on the boxes - stay clear of them. I bought one of mine at Freestyle and one on eBay. The Watson is still available new too and has a similar design to the Alden.
NickTrop
Veteran
tomasis
Well-known
Some have small fridges 
I couldnt store 100 rolls even I wanted
I couldnt store 100 rolls even I wanted 
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I think we're overlooking the zen experience of bulk loading here ... I find sitting at my desk loading a dozen or so spools that I got for nothing from the local Kodak 1hr a very emotionally rewarding experience!
Saving money is not the issue here!
Saving money is not the issue here!
raid
Dad Photographer
The cost for 20 36 exposure rolls [as 100ft] is the same as that of 15 36 exp.rolls. I went for the 100ft.
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hexar_hp5
Member
For me I don't have that much fridge/freezer space. Storing 100ft rolls is a lot easier than the equivalent single rolls.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The other benefit for me of 100ft film is I like 24 frame rolls ... there doesn't seem to be much of an option here with any film!
raid
Dad Photographer
I am in the same boat here. My wife is not too happy that I am using a large portion of the freezer and the refrigerator for film cooling.
JRG
Well-known
"The other benefit for me of 100ft film is I like 24 frame rolls ... there doesn't seem to be much of an option here with any film!"
Well, the Arista Premium is $1.89 for 24x, and $1.99 for 36x. So, save yourself $0.10 per roll, if you'd prefer.
"For me I don't have that much fridge/freezer space. Storing 100ft rolls is a lot easier than the equivalent single rolls."
"I am in the same boat here. My wife is not too happy that I am using a large portion of the freezer and the refrigerator for film cooling."
(And so on.) Let's see: A 100 ft roll yields about 18 cartridges with 36x inside. I'm sitting here holding a still-sealed 100 ft roll of Ilford HP5+ (sorry, don't have the equivalent 100 ft roll of Arista Premium on hand). That 100 ft roll is shipped in a box that is 4in x 4in square, with a depth just a little bit greater than that of a 35mm film cartridge.
In that box, or in one just slightly larger (say, 4.25 x 4.25), I can fit 16 35mm film cartridge, in a 4x4 array. Seal that box well in plastic, and toss it in the freezer. Toss two more cartridges into my camera bag, and I've just dispensed with 100 ft of film.
Then again, once I load a 100 ft roll into my Watson loader, I'd have to find space for the loader in the fridge/freezer, and that's a lot more space than required by the 100 ft roll itself. It's either that, or load all 18 cartridges immediately and then we're right back where we started.
Sorry, but I'm having trouble seeing any huge space savings here. Certainly not enough to offset the downs of bulk-loading (potential for scratches and whatnot).
(Added: If you wish to keep the 16 cartridges in their cans, the box needs to be bigger, but about 6x6 --- instead of 4.25x4.25 --- is enough.)
Well, the Arista Premium is $1.89 for 24x, and $1.99 for 36x. So, save yourself $0.10 per roll, if you'd prefer.
"For me I don't have that much fridge/freezer space. Storing 100ft rolls is a lot easier than the equivalent single rolls."
"I am in the same boat here. My wife is not too happy that I am using a large portion of the freezer and the refrigerator for film cooling."
(And so on.) Let's see: A 100 ft roll yields about 18 cartridges with 36x inside. I'm sitting here holding a still-sealed 100 ft roll of Ilford HP5+ (sorry, don't have the equivalent 100 ft roll of Arista Premium on hand). That 100 ft roll is shipped in a box that is 4in x 4in square, with a depth just a little bit greater than that of a 35mm film cartridge.
In that box, or in one just slightly larger (say, 4.25 x 4.25), I can fit 16 35mm film cartridge, in a 4x4 array. Seal that box well in plastic, and toss it in the freezer. Toss two more cartridges into my camera bag, and I've just dispensed with 100 ft of film.
Then again, once I load a 100 ft roll into my Watson loader, I'd have to find space for the loader in the fridge/freezer, and that's a lot more space than required by the 100 ft roll itself. It's either that, or load all 18 cartridges immediately and then we're right back where we started.
Sorry, but I'm having trouble seeing any huge space savings here. Certainly not enough to offset the downs of bulk-loading (potential for scratches and whatnot).
(Added: If you wish to keep the 16 cartridges in their cans, the box needs to be bigger, but about 6x6 --- instead of 4.25x4.25 --- is enough.)
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raid
Dad Photographer
So let's get twenty additional rolls of film. This is not a life threatening problem.
Bob Michaels
nobody special
2nd refrigerator?
2nd refrigerator?
Have you priced used small refrigerators? They are usually free for taking them away, sometimes only dirt cheap.
I've always has a second one in the garage for beer and film. And the freezer is half full of home made block ice for camping trips. The rest of the freezer space is for film.
2nd refrigerator?
Have you priced used small refrigerators? They are usually free for taking them away, sometimes only dirt cheap.
I've always has a second one in the garage for beer and film. And the freezer is half full of home made block ice for camping trips. The rest of the freezer space is for film.
ItsReallyDarren
That's really me
My 100ft roll of the 400 speed just came in. Gonna put it in my Watson loader.
I have to say, I'd rather have the option to buy either 100ft rolls or prerolled. Dont want Kodak hearing too much 100ft cons or else they'll drop that option too! :bang:
I have to say, I'd rather have the option to buy either 100ft rolls or prerolled. Dont want Kodak hearing too much 100ft cons or else they'll drop that option too! :bang: